IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir eulogized Colonel Assaf Hamami, whose body was returned by Hamas more than two years after his death, as a "war hero" at his funeral this morning, November 4th, 2025. Hamami was killed fighting Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Nirim on October 7th and was the commander of the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade. During the funeral service, Zamir recalled Hamami's leadership qualities, stating he "captivated everyone who met you with an unfeigned charm" and "led and guided with effortless authenticity." Zamir also mentioned awarding Hamami a certificate of excellence for his work as commander of the Givati Brigade’s Tzabar Battalion. He noted that Hamami's example inspired troops to act "with courage and determination." Zamir further stated that Hamami would have been proud of the troops' heroism and their role in the IDF's maneuvers in Gaza and other arenas since October 7th, contributing to a "victory achieved after two years of the most complex and powerful military effort." He promised Hamami that the achieved victory would continue to provide the strength to "continue to build, to grow, and also to fight." Colonel Assaf Hamami's body was returned by Hamas over two years after he was killed and abducted to Gaza. He was the commander responsible for the southern portion of the border with the Gaza Strip. The recordings of Hamami from October 7th, including phrases like "Fly to the tools, jump special units, jump standby squads, throw mortars into Gaza - we are at war!", were played at his funeral, according to previous reporting.
